Affinity sets out approaches for three water neutrality trials

Affinity Water has progressed its plans for three water neutrality schemes that will form a blueprint to minimise the impacts of homebuilding in water-stressed areas.

The aim of water neutrality is to ensure the total water consumed by the community is the same as before the extra homes were built. Across Affinity’s region, new housing developments are expected to use an extra 83.03 million litres each day by 2032. The region already has one of the highest per capita consumption (PCC) rates in the country and is home to a large number of chalk streams, from which the company has pledged to reduce abstraction.

At one development the company is trialling how low consumption can be driven through behavioural change; a second scheme will utilise technologies such as water saving devices and rainwater harvesting. At the third location both approaches will be trialled in tandem. Usage that remains above the previous levels will be off set.

Affinity’s recently appointed chief executive, Keith Haslett, said the results of the trials would inform future work for the sector, for policy matters and developers in water neutrality.

“This project will show us how we should adapt and become more resilient to the impact of climate change by building water efficient housing developments and encouraging behavioural change,” Haslett said. “By creating a sustainable growth model, we will meet our pledge to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2030.”

The company had success with its Save Our Streams campaign to educate communities about the importance of reducing water demand at scale to protect waterways.

In Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, 1,000 homes will take part to see the effectiveness of behavioural change campaigns, and what can be achieved without fitting devices. Affinity will work with behavioural change experts Grapeviners and Independent Water Networks as well as the council and Affinity’s partners in the NAV community.

Affinity was awarded £2.9 million through the Ofwat Innovation Fund for the scaled-up trials, in partnership with Albion Water, Skewb and Propelair.

Lina Nieto, water neutrality manager at Affinity, said: “Water neutrality will help overcome two problems: the first one, is to prevent new homes from becoming a future problem by making them water efficient and thereby reducing the anticipated water consumption; and the second one, reducing water waste in the community where the new homes are situated.”

Efforts by the community and schools in the area to use less water have offset nearly 300 connections already.